Join us for a Dolomites Photo Tour, where we will take you to the most breathtaking locations in the Dolomitic Alps. We will visit the most iconic spots, such as the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo, as well as some hidden gems that we have discovered over the years. We’ll also have the opportunity to capture our Milky Way galaxy in locations that are ideal for astrophotography and have minimal light pollution.
We run our Dolomites photo tours in October, the time of year when the alpine trees turn orange and red, and you can shoot a vertical Milky Way setting behind the mountains.
(Double occupancy) Private rooms available for a fee
On this Dolomites fall photo tour, we will focus on capturing the most spectacular landscapes in northern Italy during the times of day with the best light.
From huge, rugged mountains, jagged peaks, and alpine hills to impressive blue lakes, picturesque churches, and dark, starry skies, The Dolomites in northern Italy is one of those breathtaking destinations you must visit at least once, especially in late October when the golden autumn colors are in all their fall glory!
We will spend eight magical days visiting iconic mountain views like Cinque Torri, Tre Cime, Alpe di Siusi, and Passo Gardena; photogenic blue lakes like Lago di Braies, Lago d’Antorno, Carezza, and Limides; and beautiful alpine valleys like Val di Funes.
We will personally help you capture the best possible images during our Dolomites photography workshop and show you the best techniques to shoot any type of subject in different light conditions: sunrise, sunset, midday, twilight, night, etc.
Our Dolomites photo tour itinerary will be flexible. We know the area very well, so our goal will be to photograph the Dolomitic landscapes under the best possible conditions depending on the weather forecast.
This Dolomites autumn photo tour will begin at the Venicegreen Agriresort hotel, where we’ll meet at 9:00 AM. This hotel is very close to Venice Marco Polo Airport. After a meet and greet with the rest of the group, we will drive north towards the Dolomite mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which takes roughly 2 hours to reach.
Once in the mountains, depending on the weather and time, we will visit the tour’s first location, which will either be Lake Carezza or a more secluded area with spectacular views of Mount Civetta, depending on time and weather conditions.
After our first photography location, we will drive to our first hotel in Ortisei, where we will spend the next two days.
On the second day of our Dolomites fall photo tour, we will start the day by photographing Seceda.
Seceda offers one of the most beautiful mountain experiences you can enjoy in the Dolomites. Everything in Seceda is a feast for the eyes, especially the impressive ridgeline that is surrounded by some of the most photogenic peaks in South Tyrol.
To enjoy the best conditions, we’ll take the first cable car of the morning to be on the top of Seceda ready for a morning photography session. Photographing the morning light at Seceda is a special experience.
After breakfast in one of the local huts in Seceda, we will move to our next location: Val di Funes. In this famous alpine valley, we will photograph cozy little houses and picturesque churches, like St. Johann and St. Maddalena. We will spend the entire day there shooting from different perspectives and waiting for sunset. Hopefully, we’ll get to see the Odle Mountains turn red from the alpenglow.
If conditions are good for Astrophotography, we will shoot the Milky Way and do some astrophotography if conditions are clear.
On the third day of our Dolomites autumn photo adventure, we will photograph the sunrise at the beautiful Alpe di Siusi.
Alpe di Siusi is a vast plateau with many alpine hills, little huts, pines, and huge mountains in the background. It offers a lot of photography options for capturing different types of landscape images. If conditions are good, here you’ll photograph one of the most classic images of the Dolomites with the fog over the rolling hills and the mountain huts.
During the day, we’ll visit Passo delle Erbe, where after a short walk, we’ll find a beautiful viewpoint with our subject, the mountains, in the background, and roots in the foreground serving as leading lines.
Then, we will move to our sunset location: Passo Gardena. This valley in the Dolomites is surrounded by endless meadows and jagged peaks. Here, starting in September, you can enjoy a phenomenon that is also known as “Burning Dolomites,” a wonder of nature where the sun, just before setting, illuminates the most impressive peaks in the valley.
After sunset, we will drive to our hotel near Lago di Braies.
The next morning of our Dolomites photo workshop, we will wake up early to enjoy the sunrise at Lago di Braies. This is arguably one of Italy’s most photogenic locations and the most beautiful of the Dolomitic lakes, with its emerald waters and the striking natural landscapes that surround it.
Our next stop will be another location where we will photograph the “Piramidi di Terra” (Earth Pyramids); a group of natural hoodoos that is one of the best hidden gems in the Dolomites. Here we will photograph the hodoos from different viewpoints before lunch.
After lunch, we will arrive arrive in Cortina D’Ampezzo, the biggest town in the Italian Dolomites, where we will spend the next three nights.
We will check in our hotel and go for a sunset session at the majestic Passo Giau, where we’ll photograph the sunset in an open valley overlooking some of the most imposing peaks in the Dolomites, such as Marmolada, Tofane, Cristallo, and of course, the imposing Ra Gusela. If conditions allow, we will do a Milky Way session from Passo Giau.
On the fifth day of this Dolomites photo adventure, we will wake up early to capture the sunrise over the breathtaking Cinque Torri, five massive rock formations located in the heart of the Dolomites. This is an ideal location to capture the sunstar and the nice pinky clouds of the sunrise with endless photo opportunities.
After our morning shoot and a break in the hotel, we will continue on our Dolomites photo trip to the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Here, we will embark on a 1.5-hour scenic hike to this imposing spot, where we will photograph the most iconic peaks in the Dolomite Mountains. Our plan will be to photograph the sunset as well as the Milky Way if the skies cooperate.
This is one of the best places for astrophotography in the trip, so we might change the date of this plan according to the weather conditions so we can maximize the chances of clear skies and a successful Milky Way session.
The next day, we will drive up to two of the most iconic lakes in the Dolomites, Lago di Misurina and Lago Antorno. We will enjoy the sunrise and capture some long exposures during the golden morning light. These lakes are especially photogenic during the fall, when the pine trees around the lakes turn gold.
During midday, we will do a photo editing session so we can work on the images taken during the trip. We will show you how to edit different type of images, from basic edits to more advanced techniques and also night photography shots.
In the evening, we will take a short hike up to Lago di Limides, a small, beautiful lake with outstanding views of the impressive Tofana di Rozes mountain range. We will explore the area and wait for the sunset light.
On the seventh day of our Dolomites photography trip, we will take a private 4WD taxi to Lago Federa. This lake is one of the most spectacular locations in the Dolomites during the fall, with endless larches and a lake surrounded by the distinctive mountains of Croda da Lago. Getting there requires a considerable hike, so we will take 4WD private transportation so we can be there in time for sunrise.
After this, we’ll leave Cortina D’Ampezzo and drive through Selva di Cadore, where we will photograph some picturesque churches with the fall colors, and Allegue, a small population by the Allegue Lake considered one of the most beautiful villages in the Dolomites.
Later, we will drive southwest on a spectacular road to Passo Rolle, where we will take the road to Refugio Baita Segantini, a quiet place that is ideal for capturing the sunset over a small lake with marvelous views. After the sunset session, we’ll do a last group dinner close to Passo Rolle.
On the final day of this Dolomitic Alps photo tour, we will capture the sunrise in Passo Rolle and the surrounding area.
After breakfast, we will pack up and drive you to Venice Airport so you can catch your flight back home. Expect to be at Venice Airport no earlier than 12:30 PM, so you can take flights that leave at 3:00 PM or later.
Deposit: $1,500 USD
A $1,500 USD deposit is required to reserve your spot for this workshop. You can also pay in full at any time. The remaining balance is due 120 days before the start of the tour. If the remaining balance is not paid in full by the due date, you will lose your spot.
This workshop is mainly focused on landscape photography and Milky Way/astrophotography.
What you learn during the workshop will vary according to your goals and skills. Your instructors are professional photographers with extensive experience who will help you take your photography to the next level.
During the tour you’ll have the opportunity to learn:
Some of the photography basics you can learn during the workshop are:
Some of the advanced photography techniques you can learn during the workshop are:
Some of the post-processing techniques that you can learn with are:
Your instructors on this autumn dolomites photo tour
Prince Berkoh will be the tour leader, and he’ll make sure that you capture the best possible images during this trip.
Prince is a landscape and night photographer based in the north of Spain. His passion for photography has taken him to some of the most spectacular landscapes in Europe, from Spain to the remote Faroe Islands, including the Dolomites.
He loves educating and teaching others about photography. He is an experienced tour leader, having led numerous tours in the Dolomites and other destinations and given presentations on night photography over the years. He also leads other photo tours in Europe and South America.
Prince will show you how to best capture the landscapes of the Italian Dolomites, from the basics to advanced techniques like bracketing, focus stacking, panoramas, and other landscape and night photography tips.
Francesco Dall’Olmo will be the co-leader on this Dolomites photo tour. He’s Italian, and the Dolomites are his photography backyard, so he’ll add endless local expertise to make this trip more unique.
Francesco is a landscape and night photographer. Additionally, he is a professional time-lapse photographer. He’s been honing his photography skills over the years in the Italian Dolomites, having photographed both the most iconic spots and hidden gems.
He has traveled all over the world to hone his photography skills, capturing breathtaking images in Atacama, Patagonia, and all over Europe. He has also helped multiple photographers improve their skills in various photography workshops.
With Francesco, you’ll learn everything you need to take your landscape photography to the next level!
We will send you a complete list of everything that we recommend for this tour upon sign-up. Below, you can find a summary of things you might need:
Some optional items if you want to do some advanced astrophotography are:
You may be interested in this guide where you can dive deeper into photography equipment for traveling.
The average temperature in the Dolomites in October is 46ºF (8º C), but in the mornings, it can drop below 32ºF (0ºC). You should be prepared for all kinds of weather and bring warm clothing. Rainstorms are also very common in the Dolomites. Some of the things that we recommend bringing on this Dolomites photography tour are:
You will find more items and details on the official list of recommendations that we provide upon registration.
The currency in Italy is the Euro (EUR). We recommend obtaining some euros in your home country, although, if that is not possible, you can purchase some at Venice Airport.
In almost 100% of places in the Dolomites, you can pay by credit or debit card, so you won’t need much cash for the trip.
Please check if you need a visa to visit Italy. We can help you with this.
During this Dolomites photo tour, we will be staying in the best hotels close to the photo locations, in shared rooms with private bathrooms. There’s also a limited number of private rooms available.
These hotels are not only close to the photography locations but also have beautiful views.
Some of the hotels we’ll be staying at have indoor (and outdoor) swimming pools, spas, and saunas, so we encourage you to bring your swimsuits to be able to enjoy these amenities during our free time.
During this Dolomites Photo Tour we’ll travel in a minibus with ample space for all participants to travel comfortably from one spot to another. It features inclined seats, air conditioning, heating systems, and more.
We’ll have a professional and accredited driver who is experienced in navigating the winding and narrow roads in the Dolomites.
This is not a hiking photo tour, and most of the locations will be next to the parking lot, we will also use cable cars and 4WD cars to get closer to certain locations and minimize the amount of hiking we need to do.
However, we are in the mountains, and therefore there are some moderate hikes that we’ll take and that you should consider:
Hike | Elevation Gain | Distance (Roundtrip) | Estimated Duration (Roundtrip) | Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Seceda | 164 ft. / | 0.5 miles / | 0.5 hours | A quick walk up the hill on a dirt/gravel path. |
St. Maddalena Church | 328 ft. / 100 m | 1.86 miles / | 1 hour | Walk on a slightly uphill road. |
Alpe di Siusi | 270 ft. / | 5.2 miles / 8.4 km | 3 hours | Long walk on a mostly flat road with a few slightly uphill sections. |
Tre Cime di Lavaredo | 900 ft. / 280 m | 3 miles / 5 km | 4 hours | Toughest hike. Rocky, gravel trail. Mostly flat until the last section of the hike, which has 400 ft. elevation gain to reach the best views. |
Cinque Torri | 500 ft. / | 1 mile / 1.5 km | 1 hour | Short hike on an uphill rocky path. |
Lago di Limides | 430 ft. / 130 m | 1.6 miles / 2.5 km | 2 hour | Uphill hike on a rocky gravel path. |
Cadini di Misurina | 633 ft. / 193 m | 2.1 miles / 3.3 km | 2 hours | Rocky, gravel path with an uphill incline all the way. |
Passo Giau | 100 ft. / | 0.2 miles / 0.3 km | 0.5 hours | Short hike on a gravel rocky path that goes slightly uphill. |
Civetta Viewpoint | 430 ft. / | 1.4 miles / 2 km | 2 hours | Short hike on a gravel rocky path constantly uphill. |
We recommend being in good physical shape to enjoy this experience |
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You should book your flight to/from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE).
The price of round-trip flights to Venice from Europe is around $100-300 USD and flights from the US cost approximately $400-700 USD.
We recommend this article to find the best flights to Venice Airport from your current location.
Meals are not included, except for breakfast.
Every day, we will have breakfast at our hotel and have a big meal at dinner in one of the local Italian restaurants. Northern Italian food is delicious, so this will also be one of the highlights of this Dolomites photo tour.
During the day, we will eat snacks/picnic to maximize our time for photography.
We recommend preparing to spend about $40-$70 USD on food per day.
All the parking, taxis, and cable car fees for locations, such as Seceda, Lago di Braies, and Tre Cime di Lavaredo, are included in the price of the tour.
Our workshops are completely centered on photography: finding the best moments of light during and creating an intensive experience that is conducive to learning and taking the best images.
Our workshops are limited to small groups with a ratio of no more than six students per instructor. This is also an important factor for providing the attentive instruction you need during the tour.
During this workshop, we will photograph the famous locations in the Dolomites as well as some hidden gems that we have discovered while exploring in the past that are rarely visited or photographed.
We will discuss your goals before the tour so we can create a dedicated instruction plan for you. It doesn’t matter your age or skills; we will design your plan and provide you with materials before, during, and after the workshop so the learning process is not limited to just the tour.
We have spent years designing national and international photo tours with successful results, helping photographers with everything from the simple task of getting off Auto to the ambitious goal of capturing complex images. Dan’s online courses have also helped more than 400 photographers over the last few years.
Beyond the photography, our photography workshops help build strong bonds that last forever. After our trip, you’ll feel like you have been with a group of friends rather than on a standard tour. We are thankful to have plenty of repeat clients who keep traveling and learning with us.
Whether you are experienced or just starting out in photography, you are welcome to join us, and I am convinced that you will progress very fast. Together, we will get you back home with a greater and deeper knowledge of many photography topics.
Once you sign up for the workshop, we will discuss your skills and goals for this tour, and I’ll organize a teaching plan so you can make the most of this experience. You’ll also receive access to Dan’s Capture the Milky Way course so you can start preparing your astrophotography before the trip.
Most locations are a relatively short walk from the parking lot. The longest hike we will take is Tre Cime, which is a 1.5-hour scenic, moderate hike from the parking lot and another 1.5-hour hike to get back. Some other locations, such as Lago di Limides, require hikes of just about 30 minutes. We consider most hikes to be moderate difficulty, and the terrain will be mostly flat, with some uphills.
We will be driving, walking, and shooting a lot during the tour, so we recommend being in good physical shape to be able to enjoy this experience.
There is no age limit. This trip is perfect for anyone over 18 years old who wants to photograph the Dolomites with us.
Non-photographer companions are welcome to join the tour, and they need to book a spot under the same price and conditions as any other participant. (We don’t allow non-participant companions tagging along with the group). We have had plenty of non-photographer companions over the years and all of them enjoyed an amazing experience. As long as they enjoy nature, beautiful landscapes, and are a bit patient with the schedules of a photo tour, joining the trip can be a great experience regardless of the shooting.
Capture the Atlas is drone-friendly. Both instructors are experienced drone pilots and can help you with your drone photography.
The Dolomites are a paradise for flying drones and we highly recommend bringing your drone if you like aerial photography.
However, flying a drone should always be done following local policies and at one’s own risk. To learn about local drone policies in Italy, you can visit DJI’s website or directly visit the Italian Civil Aviation Authority.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with and help countless photographers over the last years:
Jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, rolling hills, endless valleys…the scenery in Italy’s Dolomitic Alps is a landscape photographer’s dream.
Add gorgeous light, photogenic clouds, dark, starry skies, and the larches in all their fall glory, and you have the recipe for a memorable trip.
Italy stole my heart when I lived there a decade ago, and beyond incredible landscapes, you’ll discover fascinating history, culture, and some of the yummiest food in the world.
Are you ready to take an unforgettable Dolomites photo tour with us?!
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